
Book 3 T43. 



PKFSHNTED BY 



,/ 






Life and Adventures 
of Daniel Boon 



HEARTMAN'S HISTORICAL SERIES. No. 17 



LIFE AND ADVENTURES 



OF 



COLONEL DANIEL BOON 

THE FIRST WHITE SETTLER 

OF THE STATE OF 

KENTUCKY 

WRITTEN BY HIMSELF 



TO WHICH IS ADDED 

t>4 Narration of His Latter Life Until His Death 

ANNEXED IS AN EULOGY BY 
LORD BYRON 






1/ •c-Ox, cf i^'ir , PvtA/y^ 



'^ 



BROOKLYN— PRINTED FOR C. WILDER— 1823 






No of a6 copies printed for Heartman's Historical Series. 

Also 51 copies printed for the Daniel Boone Club. 






LITE AND ADVJENTURES 
m 

Colonel DANIEL BOON, 

THE HBBT VBITK SETTLER 0» mS STATB 0» 
KEftTUCKT. 

->C0UPBISISO— 

An account of his first excunioo to Kentucky in 
1769, then a wild Wilderness, inhabited by no 
other human beings but Savages— his remove 
there with his lamily in l773--and of bis various 
encounters with the Indians, from the vear i769 
to 1782. 

WRITTEN BY HIMSELF. 

TO WHICH IS AOBSa, 

A narration of the most important incidents of hit 
jife from the latter period, until the period of his 
dtath, June 37, 1831, at the advanced age of 90 
yeais— comprising an account of his many t%» 
traordinary excursions and hair-brealh escapes, 
while in pursuit of the wild beasts of the torest, 
bis favorite amusemeiit until the day of bis death* 

AHHBXBO, 

I» an Eulogy on Ccf. Boon, and choice of lifei hf 

JLOMJD BYMOiN. 

SROOKLYN-Printed for C> Vfiiomm^lBiS* 



Colonel Daniel Boon 

It was on the first of May 1769, that I resigned my 
domestic happiness, and left my family and peaceable habita- 
tion of the Yadkin river, in North Carolina, to wander 
through the wilderness of America, in quest of the country 
of Kentucky, in company with John Finley, John Stuart, 
Joseph Holden, James Money, and William Cool. 

On the 7th of June, after travelling through a mountainous 
wilderness, in a western direction, we found ourselves on 
Red River, where John Finley had formerly been trading 
with the Indians, and, from the top of an eminence, saw with 
pleasure the beautiful level of Kentucky. For some time we 
had experienced the most uncomfortable weather. We now 
encamped, made a shelter to defend us from the inclement 
season, and began to hunt and reconnoitre the country. We 

found abundance of wild beasts in this vast forest 

The buffaloes were more numerous than cattle on other set- 
tlements, browzing on the leaves of the cane, or cropping the 
herbage on those extensive plains. We saw hundreds in a 
drove; and the numbers about the salt springs were amazing. 
In the forest, the habitation of beasts of every American 
kind, we hunted with great success until December. 

On the 22d of December, John Stuart and I had a pleasing 
ramble; but fortune changed the day at the close of it. We 
had passed through a great forest, in which stood myriads 



LIFE OF COLONEL BOON 



of trees, some gay with blossoms, others rich with fruits. 
Nature was here a series of wonders and a fund of delight. 
Here she displayed her ingenuity and industry in a variety 
of flowers and fruits, beautifully coloured, elegantly shaped, 
and charmingly flavored; and we were diverted with num- 
berless animals, presenting themselves perpetually to our 
view. In the decline of the day, near Kentucky river, as we 
ascended the brow of a small hill, a number of Indians rushed 
out of a thick cane brake, and made us prisoners. The 
Indians plundered us, and kept us in confinement seven 

days During this, we discovered no uneasiness or 

desire to escape, which made them less suspicious; but in 
the dead of night, as we lay by a large fire, in a thick cane 
brake, when sleep had locked up their senses, my situation 
not disposing me to rest, I gently awoke my companion. We 
seized this favorable opportunity, and departed, directing 
our course towards our old camp, but found it plundered, 
and our company dispersed or gone home. 

About this time my brother. Squire Boon, with another 
adventurer, who came to explore the country shortly after 
us, was wandering through the forest, and accidentally found 
our camp. Notwithstanding our unfortunate circumstances, 
and our dangerous situation, surrounded with hostile sav- 
ages, our meeting fortunately in the wilderness, gave us the 
most sensible satisfaction. 

Soon after this, my companion in captivity, John Stuart, 
was killed by the savages : and the man that came with my 
brother returned home by himself. We were then in a dan- 
gerous, helpless situation, exposed daily to perils and death, 
among savages and wild beasts, not a white man in the coun- 
try but ourselves. 

12 



LIFE OF COLONEL BOON 



Thus many hundred miles from our families in the howling 
wilderness, we did not continue in a state of indolence, but 
hunted every day, and prepared a little cottage to defend us 
from the winter storms. We met with no disturbance 
through the winter. 

On the first of May 1770, my brother returned home by 
himself, for a new recruit of horses and ammunition, leaving 
me alone, without bread, salt, or sugar, or even a horse or 
dog. I passed a few days uncomfortably. The idea of a 
beloved wife and family, and their anxiety on my account, 
would have disposed me to melancholy, if I had further in- 
dulged the thought. 

One day I undertook a tour through the country, when the 
diversity and beauties of nature I met with, in this charm- 
ing season, expelled every gloomy thought. Just at the 
close of day, the gentle gales ceased; a profound calm en- 
sued; not a breath shook the tremulous leaf. I had gained 
the summit of a commanding ridge, and looking round with 
astonishing delight, beheld the ample plains and beautious 
tracts below. On one hand I surveyed the famous Ohio, roll- 
ing in silent dignity, and marking the western boundary of 
Kentucky with inconceivable grandeur. At a vast distance, I 
beheld the mountains lift their venerable brows, and pene- 
trate the clouds. All things were still. I kindled a fire, near 
a fountain of sweet water, and feasted on the loin of a buck, 
which a few hours before I had killed. The shades of night 
soon overspread the hemisphere, and the earth seemed to 
gasp after the howering moisture. My excursion had fa- 
tigued my body, and amused my mind. I laid me down to 
sleep, and awoke not until the sun had chased away the 
night. I continued this tour, and in a few days explored a 

13 



LIFE OF COLONEL BOON 



considerable part of the country, each day equally pleased as 
at first after which I returned to my old camp, which had not 
been disturbed in my absence. I did not confine my lodging 
to it, but often reposed in thick cane brakes to avoid the sav- 
ages, who, I believe, often visited my camp, but, fortunately 
for me, in my absence. No populous city, with all the vari- 
eties of commerce and stately structures, could afford so 
much pleasure to my mind, as the beauties of nature I found 
in this country. 

Until the 27th of July, I spent the time in an uninterrupted 
scene of sylvan pleasures, when my brother, to my great 
felicity, met me according to appointment, at our old camp. 
Soon after we left the place, and proceeded to Cumberland 
river, reconnoitring that part of the country, and giving 
names to the different rivers. 

In March 1771, I returned home to my family, being de- 
termined to bring them as soon as possible, at the risk of my 
life and fortune, to reside in Kentucky, which I esteemed a 
second paradise. 

On my return I found my family in happy circumstances. 
I sold my farm at Yadkin, and what goods we could not 
carry with us; and, 

\ On the 25th of September 1773, we bade farewell to our 
friends, and proceeded on our journey to Kentucky, in com- 
pany with five more families, and forty men that joined us in 
Powell's Valley, which is 150 miles from the now settled 
parts of Kentucky, but this promising beginning was soon 
overcast with a cloud of adversity. 

On the 10th of October, the rear of our company was at- 
tacked by a number of Indians, who killed six and wounded 
one man. Of these my eldest son was one that fell in the 

14 



LIFE OF COLONEL BOON 



action. Though we repulsed the enemy, yet this unhappy 
affair scattered our cattle, brought us into extreme difficulty, 
and so discouraged the whole company, that we retreated 
forty miles to Clench river. We had passed over two moun- 
tains, Powell's Tind Walden's, and were approaching Cum- 
berland mountain, when this adverse fortune overtook us. 
These mountains are in the wilderness, in passing from the 
old settlements in Virginia to Kentucky, are ranged in a 
south-west and north-east direction, are of great length and 
breadth, and, not far distant from each other. Over them 
nature hath formed passes less difficult than might be ex- 
pected from the view of such huge piles. The aspect of these 
cliffs is so wild and horrid, that it is impossible to behold 
them without terror. 

Until the sixth of June, 1774, 1 remained with my family 
on the Clench when I and Michael Stoner were solicited by 
governor Dunmore, of Virginia, to conduct a number of sur- 
veyors to the falls of Ohio. This was a tour of near eight 
hundred miles, and took us sixty-two days. 

On my return, governor Dunmore gave me the command 
of three garrisons, during the campaign against the Shaw- 
anese. 

In March, 1775, at the solicitation of a number of gentle- 
men, of North-Carolina, I attended their treaty at Wataga, 
with the Cherokee Indians, to purchase the lands on the 
south-side of Kentucky river. After this, I undertook to 
mark out a road in the best passage from the settlements, 
through the wilderness to Kentucky. 

Having collected a number of enterprizing men, well 
armed, I soon began this work. We proceeded until we came 
within fifteen miles of were Boonsborough now stands, 

15 



LIFE OF COLONEL BOON 



where the Indians attacked us, and killed two, and wounded 
two more. 

This was the 20th of March, 1775, Three days after, they 
attacked us again; we had two killed and three wounded. 
After this we proceeded on to Kentucky river without op- 
position. 

On the 1st of April, we began to erect the fort of Boons- 
borough, at a salt-lick, sixty yards from the river, on the 
south side. 

On the 4th, they killed one of our men. 

On the 14th of June, having finished the fort, I returned to 
my family, on the Clench. Soon after I removed my family 
to the fort; we arrived safe; my wife and daughter being the 
first white women that stood on the banks of Kentucky river. 

December 24th. The Indians killed one man, and wound- 
ed another, seeming determined to persecute us for erecting 
this fort. 

July 14th 1776. Two of col. Calway's daughters, and one 
of mine, were taken prisoners near the fort. I immediately 
pursued the Indians, with only 18 men. 

On the 16th, I overtook them, killed two of them, and 
recovered the girls. 

The Indians had divided themselves into several parties, 
and attacked, on the same day, all our settlements and forts, 
doing a great deal of mischief. The husbandmcin was shot 
dead in the field, and most of the cattle were destroyed. They 
continued their hostilities until 

The 15th of April, 1777, when a party of 100 of them at- 
tacked Boonsborough and killed one man, and wounded four. 

July 4th, they attacked it again with 200 men, and killed 
us one and wounded two. They remained 48 hours, during 

16 



LIFE OF COLONEL BOON 



which we killed seven of them. All the settlements were at- 
tacked at the same time. 

July 19th. Col. Logan's fort was besieged by 200 Indians: 
they did much mischief; there were only fifteen men in the 
fort; they killed two, and wounded four of them. Indians' 
loss unknown. 

July 25. Twenty-five men came from Carolina. About 

August 20th, colonel Bowman arrived with 100 men from 
Virginia. Now we began to strengthen, and had skirmishes 
with the Indians almost every day. The savages now learned 
the superiority of the LONG KNIFE, as they call the Vir- 
ginians; being outgeneraled in almost every battle. Our 
affairs began to wear a new aspect ; the enemy did not now 
venture open war, but practised secret mischief. 

January 1, 1778.,. I went with thicty men to the Blue Licks, 
on Licking river, to make salt for the different garrisons. 

February 7th. Hunting by myself, to procure meat for 
the company, I met a party of 102 Indians and two French- 
men, marching against Boonsborough. They pursued and 
took me; and next day I capitulated for my men, knowing 
they could not escape. They were 27 in humber, three hav- 
ing gone home with salt. The Indians, according to the 
capitulation, used us generously. They carried us to Old 
Chelicothe, the principal Indian town on Little Miami. 

On the 18th of February we arrived there, after an un- 
comfortable journey, in very severe weather. 

On the 10th of March, I and ten of my men were conducted 
to Detroit. 

On the 30th, we arrived there, and were treated by gov- 
ernour Hamilton, the British commander at that post, with 
great humanity. 

17 



LIFE OF COLONEL BOON 



The Indians had such an affection for me, that they re- 
fused 1001. sterling offered them by the governor, if they 
would leave me v/ith the others, on purpose that he might 
send me home on my parole. Several English gentlemen 
there, sensible of my adverse fortune, and touched with 
sympathy, generously offered to supply my wants, which I 
declined with many thanks, adding that I never expected it 
would be in my power to recompence such unmerited 
generosity. The Indians left my men in captivity with the 
British at Detroit. 

On the 10th of April, they brought me towards Old Cheli- 
cothe, where we arrived on the 25th day of the same month. 
This was a long and fatiguing march, through an exceeding 
fertile country, remarkable for fine springs and streams of 
water. At Chelicothe, I spent my time as comfortable as 
I could expect; was adopted, according to their custom, into 
a family, where I became a son, and had a great share in the 
affection of my new parents, brothers, sisters, and friends. 
I was exceedingly familiar and friendly with them, cdways 
appearing as cheerful and satisfied as possible, and they put 
great confidence in me. I often went a hunting with them, 
and frequently gained their applause for my activity at our 
shooting matches. I was careful not to exceed many of them 
in shooting ; for no people are more envious than they in this 
sport. I could observe in their countenance and gestures 
the greatest expressions of joy when they exceeded me ; and, 
when the reverse happened, of envy. The Shawanese king 
took great notice of me, and treated me with profound res- 
pect, and entire friendship, often entrusting me to hunt at my 
liberty. I frequently returned with the spoils of the woods, 
and as often presented some of what I had taken to him, ex- 

18 







T/ie /Vrs^ settler of the State of Kentucky 



LIFE OF COLONEL BOON 



pressive of duty to my sovereign. My food and lodging was 
in common with them, not so good indeed as I could desire; 
but necessity made everything acceptable. 

I now began to meditate an escape, but carefully avoided 
giving suspicion. 

Until the 1st day of June I continued at Old Chelicothe, 
and then was taken to the salt springs on Sciota, and kept 
their ten days making salt. During this time, I had hunted 
with them, and found the land, for a great extent above this 
river, to exceed the soil of Kentucky, if possible, and remark- 
ably well watered. 

On my return to Chelicothe, four hundred and fifty of 
the choicest Indian warriors were ready to march against 
Boonsborough, painted and armed in a fearful manner. This 
alarmed me, and I determined to escape. 

On the 16th of June, before sunrise, I went off secretly, 
and reaching Boonsborough on the 20th, a journey of one 
hundred and sixty miles, during which I had only one meal. 
I found our fortress in a bad state, but we immediately re- 
paired our flanks, gates, posterns, and formed double bas- 
tions, which we completed in ten days. One of my fellow 
prisoners escaping after me, brought advice, that on account 
of my flight, the Indians had put off their expedition for three 
weeks. 

About August 1st, I set out with 19 men to surprise Point 
Creek Town on Sciota. Within 4 miles we fell in with 30 
Indians going against Boonsborough. We fought, and the 
enemy gave way. We suffered no loss. The enemy had 1 
killed, and 2 wounded. We took 3 horses and all their bag- 
gage. The Indians having evacuated their town and gone all 
together against Boonsborough, we returned, passed them 

19 



LIFE OF COLONEL BOON 



on the 6th day, and on the 7th arrived safe at Boonsborough. 

On the 8th, the Indian army, 444 in number, commanded 
by capt. Duquesne, and 1 1 other Frenchmen, and their own 
chiefs, came and summoned the fort. I requested two days 
consideration, which they granted. During this, we brought 
in through the posterns all the horses and other cattle we 
could collect. 

On the 9th, in the evening, I informed their commander, 
that we were determined to defend the fort, while a man was 
living. They then proposed a treaty, and said if we sent out 
9 men to conclude it, they would withdraw. The treaty was 
held within 60 yards of the fort, as we suspected the savages. 
The articles were agreed to and signed; when the Indians 
told us, it was their custom for 2 Indians to shake hands 
with every white man in the treaty, as an evidence of friend- 
ship. We agreed to this also. They immediately grappled 
us to take us prisoners, but we cleared ourselves of them, 
though surrounded by hundreds, and gained the fort safe, 
except one that was wounded by a heavy fire from their 
army. On this they began to undermine the fort, beginning 
at the water-mark of Kentucky river, which is 60 yards from 
the fort. We discovered this by the water being made muddy 
vdth the clay and countermined them by cutting a trench 
across their subteranean passage. The enemy discovering 
this, by the clay we threw out of the fort, desisted. 

On the 20th of August, they raised the siege. 

During this dreadful siege, we had 2 men killed, and 4 
wounded. We lost a number of cattle. We killed 37 of the 
enemy, and wounded a great number. We picked up 125 
pounds of their bullets, besides what struck in the logs of 
the fort. 

20 



LIFE OF COLONEL BOON 



Soon after this I went into the settlement, and nothing 
worthy of notice passed for some time. 

In July, 1779, during my absence, col. Bowman, with 160 
men, went against the Shawanese of Old Chelicothe. He 
arrived undiscovered ; a battle ensued, which lasted until ten 
in the morning, when col. Bowman retreated 30 miles. The 
Indians collected all their strength, and pursued him, when 
another engagement ensued for two hours, not to col. Bow- 
man's advantage. Col. Harrod proposed to mount a number 
of horses and break the enemy's line, who at this time fought 
with remarkable fury. This desperate measure had a happy 
effect, and the savages fled on all sides. In these two battles 
we had 9 men killed, and 1 wounded. Enemy's loss uncer- 
tain, only 2 scalps being taken, 

June 22d 1780, about 600 Indians and Canadians, under 
col. Bird, attacked Riddle's and Martin's station, and the 
Forks of Licking river, with 6 pieces of artillery. They took 
all the inhabitants captives, and killed 1 man and 2 women, 
loaded the others with the heavy baggage; and such as failed 
in the journey, were tomahawked. 

The hostile disposition of the savages, caused gen. Clark, 
the commandant at the falls of the Ohio, to march with his 
regiment and the armed force of the country against Pecca- 
way, the principal town of the Shawanese, on a branch of the 
Great Miami, which he finished with great success, took 17 
scalps, and burned the town to ashes, with the loss of 17 men. 

About this time, I returned to Kentucky with my family; 
for, during my captivity, my wife, thinking me killed by the 
Indians, had transported my family and goods on horses 
through the wilderness, amidst many dangers, to her father's 

21 



LIFE OF COLONEL BOON 



house in North Carolina. The history of my difficulties in 
going and returning, is too long to be inserted here. 

On the 6th October 1780, soon after my settling again at 
Boonsborough, I went with my brother to the Blue Licks, 
and on our return, he was shot by a party of Indians; they 
followed me by the scent of a dog, which I shot, and escaped. 

The severity of the winter caused great distress in Ken- 
tucky, the enemy during the summer having destroyed most 
of the com. The inhabitants lived chiefly on Buffaloes' flesh. 

In spring 1782, the Indians harrassed us. 

In May they killed 1 man at Ashton's station, and took 
a negro. Capt. Ashton pursued them with 25 men, and in 
an engagement which lasted 2 hours, his party were obliged 
to retreat, having 8 killed, and 4 mortally wounded. Their 
brave commander fell in the action. 

August 10th, two boys were carried off from major Hoy's 
station. Capt. Holder pursued with 17 men: they were also 
defeated, and lost 4 and 1 wounded. Our affairs became 
more and more alarming. The savages infested the country, 
killing men at every opportunity. 

In a field near Lexington, an Indian shot a man, and run- 
ning to scalp him, was himself shot from the fort, and fell 
dead upon his enemy. 

All the Indian nations were now united against us. 

August 15th, 500 Indians and Canadians came against 
Briant's station, 5 miles from Lexington: they assaulted the 
fort, killed all the cattle round it. But being repulsed, they 
retired the 3d day, having about 30 killed, their wounded un- 
certain. The garrison had 4 killed and 3 wounded. 

August 18th. Col. Todd, col. Trigg, major Harland, and 
myself, speedily collected 176 men, well armed, and pursued 

22 



LIFE OF COLONEL BOON 



the savages. They had marched beyond the Blue Licks to 
a remarkable bend of the main fork of Licking river, about 
43 miles from Lexington, where we overtook them on 
the 19th. 

The savages observing us, gave way, and we, ignorant of 
their numbers, passed the river. When they saw our pro- 
ceeding, having greatly the advantage in situation, they 
formed their line of battle from one bend of the Licking to 
the other, about a mile from the Blue Licks. The battle was 
exceedingly fierce for about 15 minutes, when we, being 
overpowered by numbers, were obliged to retreat, with the 
loss of 67 men, 7 of whom were taken prisoners. The brave 
and much lamented colonels Todd and Triggs, major Har- 
land and my second son, were among the dead. We were 
afterwards told, that the Indians on numbering their dead, 
finding they had 4 more killed than we, 4 of our people they 
had taken, were given up to their young warriors to be put 
to death after their barbarous manner. 

On our retreat, we were met by col. Logan, who was 
hastening to join us, with a number of well armed men. 
This powerful assistance we wanted on the day of battle. 
The enemy said, one more fire from us would have made 
them give way. 

I cannot reflect upon this dreadful scene, but sorrow fills 
my heart. A zeal for the defence of their country led those 
heroes to the scene of action, though with a few men, to 
attack a powerful army of experienced warriors. When we 
gave way, they pursued us with the utmost eagerness, and in 
every quarter spread destruction. The river was difficult to 
cross, and many were killed in the flight, some just entering 
the river, some in the water, others after crossing in ascend- 

23 



LIFE OF COLONEL BOON 



ing the cliffs. Some escaped on horseback, a few on foot; 
and being dispersed every where, in a few hours, brought 
the melancholy news of this unfortunate battle to Lexing- 
ton. Many widows were now made. The reader may guess 
what sorrow filled the hearts of the inhabitants, exceeding 
anything I am able to describe. Being reinforced, we re- 
turned to bury the dead, and found their bodies strewed 
every where, cut and mangled in a dreadful manner. This 
mournful scene exhibited a horror almost unparalleled ; some 
torn and eaten by wild beasts; those in the river eaten by 
fishes; all in such a putrified condition, that no one could be 
distinguished from another. 

When gen, Clark at the falls of Ohio, heard of our disaster, 
he ordered an expedition to pursue the savages; we overtook 
them within 2 miles of their towns, and we should have ob- 
tained a great victory, had not some of them met us when 
about 200 poles from their camp. The savages fled in the 
utmost disorder, and evacuated all their towns. We burned 
to ashes Old Chelicothe, Peccaway, New Chelicothe, Wills 
Town, and Chelicothe; entirely destroyed their corn and 
other fruits; and spread desolation through their country. 
We took 7 prisoners, and 5 scalps, and lost only 4 men, 2 of 
whom were accidentally killed by ourselves. 

This campaign damped the enemy; yet they made secret 
incursions. 

In October, a party attacked Crab Orchard; and one of 
them, being a good way before the others, boldly entered a 
house, in which were only a women and her children, and 
a negro man. The savage used no violence, but attempted to 
carry off the negro, who happily proved too strong for him, 
eind threw him on the ground, and in the struggle the woman 

24 



LIFE OF COLONEL BOON 



cut off his head with an axe, while her little daughter shut 
the door. The savages instantly came up and applied their 
tomahawks to the door, when the mother putting an old 
rusty gun barrel through a crevice, the savages went off. 

From that time, until the happy return of peace between 
the United States and Great Britain, the Indians did us no 
mischief. 

Soon after the Indians desired peace. 

Two darling sons, and a brother I have lost by savage 
hands, which have also taken 40 valuable horses, and an 
abundance of cattle. Many dark and sleepless nights have 
I spent, separated from the cheerful society of men, scorched 
by the summer's sun, and pinched by the winter's cold, an 
instrument ordained to settle the wilderness. But now the 
scene is changed: peace crowns the sylvan shade. 

DANIEL BOON. 
Fayette County, Kentucky. 



25 



Continuation of the Life of 
Colonel Boon 

For a continuation of the life of Col, Boon, from the con- 
clusion of the American and Indian Wars, we are indebted 
to a near relation of the Colonel (a resident of Cincinnati) 
who received it from his own mouth and whose veracity may 
be depended on: 

As soon as peace was effected and became firmly settled 
with the savages on the frontiers and they ceased to com- 
mit depredations from the eastern and southern States to 
Kentucky and the other Western States became uncount- 
able great, insomuch that the State of Kentucky alone which 
in 1769 (when first discovered by Col. Boon) contained not 
a white inhabitant but himself, in 1790 contained upwards 
of 100 towns of considerable size, and nearly 100,000 inhabi- 
tants — and so great was the increase of population from this 
period, that in 1807 the State contained 34 Counties, peopled 
by about 350,000 inhabitants, and the militia at this period 
were estimated at 32,336. 

Although it would be natural to suppose that the circum- 
stances of a State of so great extent and population, having 
in so short a period grown out of a wild Wilderness inhabited 
by no other human beings but untutored Savages, must have 
been highly pleasing and flattering to one who could boast 
of having been its first Christian settler, yet, with Col. Boon, 
it appears to have had a quite different effect — habituated to 

27 



LIFE OF COLONEL BOON 



the chase, which had become his favorite amusement from 
his first excursion to Kentucky he (like the unrefined Sav- 
age) viewed apparently the rapid increase of population with 
more distrust than satisfaction, as he well knew that it would 
ultimately drive away the wild animals of the forest (v/ith 
which the country had when first visited so thickly 
abounded) and that his favorite pursuit v/ould thereby be 
diminished and in time totally destroyed. Although his 
many heroic achievements, in protecting the inhabitants of 
the infant settlements from the bloody tomahawk and scalp- 
ing knife of the Savages, were justly and duly appreciated 
by the most respectable inhabitants of the state, yet all com- 
pensations offered him therefor in lands, &c., or lucrative 
offices proffered him, were unequivocally refused by the 
Colonel, and although of very decent abilities, (with one 
exception) he could never be prevailed on to fill a public 
office — to use his own expression "I had much rather (said 
he) possess a good fowling piece, with two faithful dogs, 
and traverse the wilderness with one or two friendly Indian 
companions, in quest of a hoard of Buffaloes or deer, than to 
possess the best township or to fill the first Executive office 
of the State." 

Chilicote was the place selected by Col. Boon as a place 
of his permanent residence after the conclusion of peace, but 
at this period so great was the emigration from all quarters 
to Kentucky, that the Colonel found himself very soon neces- 
sitated (the better to enjoy his favorite amusement) to 
remove to the more remote and uninhabited part of the State 
— but even in this secluded retreat he did not long enjoy his 
wished for repose and amusement — the thirst for cheap and 

28 



LIFE OF COLONEL BOON 



uncultivated lands, so peculiar at this period to the eastern 
and southern adventurers and speculators, soon brought 
them into the very neighborhood of his peaceable dwelling — 
as they approached the wild animals of the forest (like the 
aboriginals) receded, and to enjoy the society of the latter, 
in preference to that of his fellow countrymen, Col. Boon 
found himself necessitated to follow their example. At the 
age of 65 he removed with his family to the Tennessee Coun- 
try, then almost a perfect Wilderness, where he built him a 
log cabin, and for several years enjoyed undisturbed repose 
and realized very bountifully the sought for amusements 
which of all other he most delighted in — the wilderness of 
which he was now an inhabitant, abounded with Buffaloes, 
Bears, Deers, &c., which he had for a very considerable time 
the exclusive and uninterrupted hunting of and destroying 
at his pleasure. His cabin was occasionally visited by the 
Indian hunters, but they were those who had been long ac- 
quainted with and entertained the greatest friendship for the 
Colonel and his family, as like him they were once in peace- 
able possession of the well stocked wilds of Kentucky, but 
had been induced voluntarily to relinquish them to those 
whose habits and manners they could not become reconciled 
to. It is a remarkable fact that the family of Colonel Boon, 
which was composed of his wife two sons and a daughter, 
were not less pleased with a secluded life than himself, the 
two sons seldom accompanied their father in the chase, but 
itwas an amusement of which they were equally fond, and in 
their different excursions a strife seemed to prevail between 
the father and sons which should be most successful in the 
destruction of the animals of the forest, but in eight instances 

29 



LIFE OF COLONEL BOON 



of twelve fortune generally decided in favor of the old gentle- 
man, who when a fair shot presented, rarely missed his 
object. 

Accompanied by two faithful dogs, with a fur bag slung 
under his left arm containing his ammunitions, provisions, 
&c., he would frequently penetrate the wild wilderness fifty 
or sixty miles from home, in search of game, even when aris- 
ing seventy years of age, and seldom did his family obtain 
any tidings of him until his return. In one instance he re- 
mained absent between three and four weeks, his family be- 
came alarmed, and his two sons scoured the woods for many 
miles in search of him, but without any success until the 7th 
day of their search, when, attracted by the barking of the 
dogs, they found the old gentleman seated very contentedly 
in a small temporary hut, with his fowling piece presented 
through an aperture, watching a deerlick, on one side of his 
humble dwelling his buffaloe skin was spread on which he 
reposed at night, and in a corner was a roll of green Deer- 
Skins to the number of 45 and in a hollow a few rods from the 
hut was piled the 45 carcasses of these animals, the whole of 
which had been shot by him at the lick. The sudden and 
unexpected appearance of his sons appeared to cause him 
more regret than satisfaction as their presence might serve 
to defeat his object, which was to make up the round number 
of fifty skins, with which he then calculated to return in 
triumph to his family, and exultingly boast of a performance, 
which surpassed any which his sons could boast of. 

The great object of the Colonel appears to have been to 
live as remote as possible from every white inhabitant, 
except those of his own family; insomuch that he had been 

30 



LIFE OF COLONEL BOON 



heard frequently to declare that he would never consent to 

live within 100 miles of a d d yankee! Although for 

many years the State of Tennessee contained but a few fami- 
lies beside his own, and they distantly situated from him, 
yet after the relapse of some years, the enterprising adven- 
turers of New England, penetrated even to within a few 
miles of his secluded retreat in that quarter which induced 
him once more to "pull up stakes" and to remove with his 
family (in the 80th year of his age) quite to the Missouri. 
Here he continued to enjoy his favourite amusement undis- 
turbed by those whom he viewed as his greatest foes (the 
yankees) until within a few hours of his death, which was in 
June, 1822, at the advanced age of 90. In the month of June, 
1818, then in the 86th years of his age, he, accompanied by his 
faithful dog, started early one morning on one of his hunting 
excursions, which like to have proved his last. He had pene- 
trated the woods on horseback some distance from his hut, 
and while engaged in watching a deer lick, and as some sup- 
posed, (from the position in which he was found) while in 
the very act of discharging his rifle, he received a paral)rtic 
stroke, from which he never afterward fully recovered. This 
circumstance gave rise to the following rumour of his death, 
which was published at the time in a Chelicothe paper : 

"Death of Col. Daniel Boon — As he lived so he died with 
his gun in his hand. We are informed by a gentleman direct 
from Boon's settlement on the Missouri, that early in last 
month Col. Boon rode to a deer lick, seated himself within 
a blind raised to conceal him from the game — that while sit- 
ting thus concealed with his old trusty rifle resting on a log, 
his face to the breech of his gun his rifle cocked, his finger 

31 



LIFE OF COLONEL BOON 



to the trigger, one eye shut, the other looking along the bar- 
rel through the sights — in this position, without struggle or 
motion, and of course without pain, he breathed out his last 
so gently, that when he was found next day by his friends 
although stiff and cold, he looked as if alive, with his gun in 
his hand, just in the act of firing. It is not altogether certain, 
if a buck had come into the range of his gun, which had been 
the death of thousands, but it might have intuitively obeyed 
its old employer's mind and discharged itself. This hypothe- 
sis being novel we leave the solution to the curious." 

After the Colonel had reached the 80th year of his age, 
and unable by reason of infirmity to pursue the wild animals 
of the forest, with that dexterity that he was once in the 
habit of doing, he used to adopt the expedient of tracing the 
bears to a hollow tree, and by means of smoke, would drive 
them therefrom, and shoot them as they retreated. In one 
of these attempts the old gentleman ran a very narrow escape 
and would no doubt have lost his life, had he not been fortu- 
nately attended by one of his Indian companions. It appears 
that in the course of their excursion they found a tree 
scratched by the bears climbing up, and the hole in the tree 
sufficiently large for the reception of the bear; they fell a 
sapling or small tree against or near the hole, and the Colonel 
with his fire works and his ammunition bag filled with dry 
leaves and moss, ascended the tree to communicate fire into 
the hollow, while the Indian remained at the foot with his 
musket ready to shoot the bear as soon as he should make 
his appearance — the bear (which was an uncommonly large 
one) having withstood the fire and smoke until it could be 
no longer endured and rendered desperate in consequence of 

32 



LIFE OF COLONEL BOON 



her young cubs, (of which it appeared that she had two with 
her in the tree) seized and most shockingly tore with her 
claws the face and hands of the Colonel, without his being 
able in any way to defend himself — thus dangerously situ- 
ated, there was now no other alternative left him but either 
to suffer his Indian companion to fire at the bear, at the great 
hazard of his own life, or closely embraced by her, to suffer 
himself to be precipitated to the ground, a distance of more 
than 40 feet — of the two expedients he preferred the latter, 
as it probably would be attended with the least danger, and 
consequently hugging Bruin with as much firmness as with 
what he had been embraced by her, he voluntarily gave the 
leap, bringing the huge monster with him ; and what seemed 
almost incredible, without receiving any other injury than 
a slight sprain of one of his ankles! — the bear was shot dead 
the instant she reached the ground by the Indian. 

Colonel Boon, although averse to the whites, was a great 
friend to the Indians, notwithstanding they had been his 
mortal enemies in the early part of his life — it was frequently 
remarked by him that while he could never with safety 
repose confidence in a Yankee, he had never been deceived 
by an Indian, when he had once declared himself friendly 
disposed, and that so far as his own experience would enable 
him to judge, he should certainly prefer a state of nature to 
a state of civilization, if he was obliged to be confined to one 
or the other. The subject of the discipline and mode of war- 
fare of savages being once introduced by some gentlemen 
in company with the Colonel, when the lattter being re- 
quested to give his opinion relative thereto, he declared it 
nearly as follows: 

33 



LIFE OF COLONEL BOON 



"I have often heard the British officers call the Indians 
the undisciplined savages, which is a capital mistake, as they 
have all the essentials of discipline. They are under good 
command, and punctual in obeying orders; they can act in 
concert, and when their officers lay a plan and give orders, 
they will cheerfully unite in putting all their directions into 
immediate execution ; and by each man observing the motion 
or movement of his right hand companion, they can commu- 
nicate the motion from right to left, and march abreast in 
concert, and in scattered order, though the line may be more 
than a mile long, and continue if occasion requires, for a 
considerable distance, without disorder or confusion. They 
can perform various necessary manoevres, either slowly, or 
as fast as they can run: they can form a circle, or semi-circle: 
the circle they make use of, in order to surround their enemy, 
and the semi-circle if the enemy has a river on one side of 
them. — They can also form a large hollow square, face out 
and take trees : this they do, if their enemies are about sur- 
rounding them, to prevent being shot from either side of the 
tree. When they go into battle, they are not loaded or en- 
cumbered with many clothes, as they commonly fight naked, 
save only breech-clouts, leggings and mockasons. There is 
no such thing as corporeal punishment used, in order to 
bring them under such good discipline : degrading is the only 
chastisement, and they are so unanimous in this that it 
effectually answers the purpose. Their officers plan, order 
and conduct matters until they are brought into action, and 
then each man is to fight as though he was to gain the battle 
himself. General orders are commonly given in time of 
battle either to advance or retreat, and is done by a shout or 

34 



LIFE OF COLONEL BOON 



yell, which is well understood, and they retreat or advance in 
concert. They are generally well equipped, and exceeding 
expert and active in the use of arms. 

"They say that it would be absurd to appoint a man an 
officer whose skill and courage had never been tried — that 
all officers should be advanced only according to merit — that 
no one man should have the absolute command of an army — 
that a council of officers are to determine when and how an 
attack is to be made — that it is the business of the officers 
to lay plans to take every advantage of the enemy — to am- 
bush and surprize them, and to prevent being ambushed and 
surprized themselves — it is the duty of officers to prepare and 
deliver speeches to the men, in order to animate and encour- 
age them ; and on the march to prevent the men at any time, 
from getting into a hudde, because if the enemy should sur- 
round them in this position, they would be exposed to the 
enemy's fire. It is likewise their business at all times to 
endeavor to annoy the enemy, and save their own men, and 
therefore ought never to bring on an attack without consid- 
erable advantage, or without what appeared to them the 
sure prospect of victory, and that with the loss of few men: 
and if at any time they should be mistaken in this, and are 
like to lose many men by gaining the victory, it is their duty 
to retreat, and wait for a better opportunity of defeating 
their enemy, without the danger of losing so many men. 
Their conduct proves that they act upon these principles, 
therefore it is, that from Braddock's war to the present time, 
they have seldom ever made an unsuccessful attack. The 
battle at the mouth of the Great Kanhava, is the greatest 
instance of this; and even then, though the Indians killed 
about three for one they lost, yet they retreated. The loss 

35 



LIFE OF COLONEL BOON 



of the Virginians in this action, was seventy killed, and the 
same number wounded. The Indians lost twenty killed on 
the field, and eight, who died afterwards, of their wounds. 
This was the greatest loss of men that I ever know the 
Indians to sustain in any one battle. They will commonly 
retreat, if their men are falling fast, they will not stand cut- 
ting, like the Highlanders, or other British troops : but this 
proceeds from a compliance with their rules of war, rather 
than cowardice. If they are surrounded, they will fight while 
there is a man of them alive, rather than surrender. 

"In contradiction to the report of many travellers, all of 
which have been tinctured with prejudice, I can assert, that 
notwithstanding the apparent indifference with which an 
Indian meets his wife and children after a long absence, an 
indifference proceeding rather from costum than insensabil- 
ity, he is not unmindful of the claims either of connubial or 
parental tenderness. 

"Accustumed from their youth to innumerable hardships, 
to soon become superior to a sense of danger, or the dread of 
death; and their fortitude, implanted by nature, and nurtured 
by example, by precept and accident, never experiences a 

moment's alley. 

"Though slothful and inactive whilst their stores of pro- 
vision remains unexhausted, and their foes are at a distance, 
they are indefatigable and persevering in pursuit of their 
game, or in circumventing their enemies. 

"If they are artful and designing, and ready to take every 
advantage, if they are cool and deliberate in their councils, 
and cautious in the extreme either of discovering their senti- 
ments, or of revailing a secret, they might at the same time 

36 



LIFE OF COLONEL BOON 



boast of possessing qualifications of a more animated nature 
of the sagacity of a hound the penetrating sight of a lynx, 
the cunning of the fox, the agility of a bounding roe, and 
the unconquerable fierceness of the tiger. 

"In their public characters, as forming part of a commun- 
ity, they possess an attachment for that land to which they 
belong, unknown to the inhabitants of any other country. 
They combine, as if they were actuated only by one soul, 
against the enemies of their nation, and banish from their 
minds every consideration opposed to this. 

"They consult without unnecessary opposition, or with- 
out giving way to the excitements of envy or ambition, on 
the measures necessary to be persued for the destruction of 
those who have drawn on themselves their displeasure. 
No selfish views ever influence their advice, or obstruct 
their consultations. Nor is it in the power of bribes or 
threats to diminish the love they bear their country." 

By the foregoing the reader will perceive how greatly 
prejudiced was Colonel Boon in favour of the tawny in- 
habitants of the western wilderness; whose manners and 
habits he did not hesitate to declare to the day of his death, 
far more agreeable to him than those of a more civilized and 
refined race. During the two last years of the life of the 
Colonel, his eye-sight having so far failed him as to prevent 
his enjoying his long accustomed sport with his rifle, he 
amused himself in devising means to ensnare and entrap 
the lesser animals of the forest, such as beavers, racoons, 
&c. — as the former was an animal that lived mostly in the 
water, his manner of entrapping them was by laying one 
small sapling on another, and driving in posts to keep them 

37 



LIFE OF COLONEL BOON 



from rolling; the upper sapling was raised about eighteen 
inches, and set so, that on the beaver's touching a string, or 
a small piece of bark, the sapling would fall and kill it. 

Until the infirmities of Colonel Boon became so great as 
to prevent it, (which was not until he had arrived at the age 
of forescore years) it is impossible to describe the agility 
and perseverance displayed by him while in pursuit of his 
prey — neither thickets, ditches, torrents, pools, or rivers 
were sufficient to stop him. Scarcely any device which the 
ingenuity of man has discovered for ensnaring or destroying 
the wild animals of the forest was unknov/n to him. It was 
not unfrequent, that he associated himself with parties of 
Indian hunters, (by whom he was much beloved) in their 
excursions in pursuit of buffaloes, bears, deers, &c. The 
route they should take for this purpose was generally left for 
the Colonel to decide. When they had arrived at a place 
where these creatures usually haunt, they formed themselves 
into a circle according to their number, and moved onward, 
endeavouring as they advanced towards the centre to dis- 
cover the retreats of their prey — by this means, if any lay in 
the intermediate space, they were sure of arousing them, 
and bringing them down either vnth their bows or their 
guns. — The method of hunting the buffaloe was by forming 
a circle or square, nearly in the same manner as when 
hunting for bears — having taken their different stations, 
they set the grass on fire, when these animals, who are ex- 
tremely fearful of that element, flying with precipitation 
before it, great numbers are hemmed in a small compass, and 
scarcely a single one escapes. 

The death of Colonel Boon, (which took place in June 
1821) was sudden and unexpected — having that morning left 

38 



LIFE OF COLONEL BOON 



home for the purpose of visiting his traps, (apparently in as 
good state of health as he had been for many months 
previous) and not returning at his usual hour, his sons be- 
came alarmed and went in quest of him, and after some con- 
siderable search found the poor old man stretched lifeless on 
the ground within 3 or 4 feet of one of his traps — beside 
him stood his faithful dog pawing and smelling of the dead 
body of his master, nor would he quit it until he was forced 
therefrom — it was supposed that the death of this extra- 
ordinary man was occasioned by a fit of appoplexy. 



39 



LIFE OF COLONEL BOON 



EULOGY 

ON COLONEL BOON, AND CHOICE OF LIFE 

BY LORD BYRON. 

Of all men, saving Sylla the manslayer, 
Who passes for, in life and death, most lucky, 

Of the great names which in our faces stare, 
The Colonel Boon, backwoodsman of Kentucky 

Was happiest amongst mortals any where: 
For, killing nothing but a bear, or buck, he 

Enjoyed the lonely, vigorous, harmless days 

Of his old age, in wilds of deepest maze. 

Crime came not near him — she is not the child 
Of solitude; health shrank not from him — for 

Her home is in the rarely trodden wild. 

Where if men seek her not, and death be more 

Their choice than life, forgive them as beguiled 
By habit to what their own hearts abhor — 

In cities caged. The present case in point I 

Cite is, that Boon lived hunting up to ninety. 

And what's still stranger, left behind a name 
For which men vainly decimate the throng; 

Not only famous, but of that good fame. 
Without which glory's but a tavern song — 

Simple, serene, the antipodes of shame, 
Which hate nor envy e'er could tinge with wrong; 

An active hermit, even in age the child 

Of nature, or the Man of Ross run wild. 

40 



LIFE OF COLONEL BOON 



'Tis true he shrank from men even of this nation; 

When they built up unto his darling trees, 
He moved some hundred miles off for a station 

Whdre there were were fewer houses and more ease; 
The inconvenience of civilization 

Is, that you neither can be pleased nor please; 
But where he met the individual man. 
He shewed himself as kind as mortal can. 

He was not all alone : around him grew 

A sylvan tribe of children of the chase, 
Whose young unworkened world was ever new; 

Nor sword nor sorrow yet had left a trace 
On her unwrinkled brow, nor could you view 

A frown on nature's or an human face: 
The free-born forest found and kept them free, 
And fresh as is a torrent or a tree. 

And tall and strong and swift of foot were they, 
Beyond the dwarfing city's pale abortions, 

Because their thoughts had never been the prey 

Of care, or gain ; the green woods were their portions ; 

No sinking spirits told them they grew grey, 
No fashion made them apes of her distortions; 

Simple they were, not savage; and their rifles. 

Though very true, were not yet used for trifles. 

Motion was in their days, rest in their slumbers, 
And cheerfulness the handmaid of their toil; 

41 



LIFE OF COLONEL BOON 



Nor yet too many nor too few their numbers; 

Corruption could not make their hearts her soil; 
The lust which stings, the splendor which encumbers, 

With the free forester divide no spoil; 
Serene, not sullen, were the solitudes 
Of this unsighing people of the woods. 



THE END 



42 



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16 N ■?9 



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